Who We are

History

Several years ago the buildings of the South Presentation Convent were in a perilous position. As the area around the convent changed, the need for the school complex the site housed declined and the school closed its doors in 2006. Most of the buildings, some over 200 years old, sat empty with just a few resident sisters to maintain them.

The Presentation Sisters had to plan for the future. With so many listed buildings housed upon it, the site was of little development value. What was to be done?

The Presentation Sisters decided to act, just as their foundress, Nano Nagle, had done nearly two hundred and fifty years before. They set up a company, appointed a voluntary board, and put in place plans to redevelop ‘South Pres’ as a special place for the people of Cork City – Nano Nagle Place.

The heritage buildings at Nano Nagle Place have been lovingly regenerated, they now house educational charities and rooms are also available to let by community groups, charities and local businesses. The chapel has been turned into a museum that engagingly tells the story of Nano Nagle and the city in which she worked to educate and care for the poor. It allows the visitor to explore the incredible spread of the Presentation Order, the changing lives of the sisters who have dedicated their lives to that order and the remarkable work they still carry out as educationalists and campaigners for social justice. Come and visit Nano Nagle Place, get involved and become part of our story.

 

Vision

Nano Nagle Place will become renowned as a destination for visitors to Cork, seeking a place of inspiration, contemplation and reflection at the heart of our busy city. Our commitment to social justice, and the enduring history and impactful legacies of Nano Nagle, will inform, inspire, and challenge, so that everyone who visits can be informed about the past, challenged by the present and leave transformed to make a difference in the future

 

Mission

Nano Nagle Place offers all who come an opportunity to be informed, inspired, challenged and transformed so that they, too, might make a difference in our world.

 

Values

Hospitality

Welcoming all who come to Nano Nagle Place by sharing the spirit of loving kindness characteristic of Nano and her alumni.

Compassion

Cultivating an attitude of open-hearted care and understanding, especially towards the most vulnerable.

Human Dignity

Promoting, in its programmes and materials, recognition of the value of each person as being worthy of great respect and deserving of freedom from any form of slavery and exploitation.

Community

Creating a strong community spirit, leading to harmonious cooperation among all activities of the organisation with integration of purpose, balanced by clarity of boundaries.

Justice

Honouring all of creation, respecting all people, promoting sustainability, raising awareness of global injustice, having a right relationship with God, self, our neighbour and all of creation.

Excellence

Maintaining the highest standards of integrity in all aspects of our work at Nano Nagle Place and providing an appropriate environment in which all activities of the organisation give practical expression to the Vision.